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27 August 2019

Media Release: On Your Marks, Get Set…Two Weeks To Go To South African National Parks Week

South African National Parks (SANParks) in partnership with First National Bank (FNB) and Total South Africa is pleased to announce that the 14th South African National Parks Week kicks off in less than two weeks.

The campaign held from 8 to 15 September 2019 gives locals with a valid identity document an opportunity to spend a day at a national park of their choice free of charge. For the first time ever, a weekend is included in the free access. Namaqua National Park and Boulders Section of Table Mountain National Park will not be included in the free access. Certain Parks will also have quotas in place over the weekend.

According to Fundisile Mketeni, SANParks CEO, “SANParks is striving to provide all South Africans with equal opportunities and in line with our vision of ‘a world-class system of sustainable national parks reconnecting and inspiring society’, we want to inspire people to take pride in and to enjoy their national parks while spending time in nature and to start to understand the importance of conservation.”

Dr Simphiwe Madikizela, Provincial Head for Gauteng: FNB Public Sector Banking, says: “Domestic tourism remains central to economic growth and job creation, especially in local communities where the parks are located. For more than a decade, our partnership with SANParks on this campaign has put our national parks on a pedestal to encourage South Africans to explore South Africa’s natural environment. Our involvement in this campaign is primarily anchored in our belief that, when conserved, our national parks will have a long-lasting economic impact on the country.”

“It is indeed astounding to see South African National Parks Week growing from strength to strength and Total South Africa is proud to be a partner of this campaign since its inception in 2006 says Sunil Gandhi, General Manager: Strategy Total South Africa. “Total views environmental conservation as a key priority and we are committed to preserving the natural environment for future generations.” I would like to encourage all South African citizens to come out in their numbers to experience our country’s natural heritage in its abundance added Sunil Gandhi.

Mketeni concludes by emphasising that SANParks is committed to raising awareness about the importance of environmental education and the need to sustain the beauty of our national parks. “SANParks encourages all South Africans to visit a national park near them during the free week. The survival of the National Parks system and our natural and cultural heritage lies with the people of South Africa.”

Discover all there is to do and see in our national parks if you join us online for SA National Parks Week. We will be presenting a different theme each day, where we will explore the different experiences on offer in our parks. Visit our website at www.sanparks.org/about/events/parks_week/ for more information and follow #SANationalParksWeek and #LiveYourWild on social media, to join in the fun.

Issued By

South African National Parks (SANParks) Corporate Communications

Media Enquiries:
Reynold “Rey” Thakhuli
General Manager: Media, PR & Stakeholder Relations, SANParks
Tel: 012 426 5203; Cell: 073 373 4999
Email: [email protected]